Severed Horse Head Puzzles Pennsylvania Authorities (USA)

Friday, 3 June 2011

Municipal authorities in Washington, Pa., are seeking whoever placed a severed horse head in an alley in a highly populated residential neighborhood earlier this week.

Washington City Councilman and Public Works Bureau Director Matt Staniszewski said Washington City Police personnel discovered the severed horse head on Monday after a tipster reported finding it. The head was mostly skeletal with some bits of decomposing flesh remaining, he said.

Staniszewski said he does not believe the remains were connected to an illegal horsemeat operation.

Both Staniszewski and Washington City Police are investigating the incident. So far there are few leads, he said.

"One neighbor reported seeing a white pickup truck in the area, but did not get a license plate number," he said. "Right now we're following every lead we can."

Staniszewski said that if caught, whoever is responsible for the incident could face charges, but he did not elaborate.

"Let's hope there is no animal cruelty involved here," he said.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Staniszewski's office at 724/225-2781, or the City of Washington Police Department at 724/223-4226.